Water dripping from drive shaft gaitor

[Miles]

I have an important journey of 130 miles to make this afternoon so I gave the van (1.9 DG A-reg) a quick check-over. I started it up and noticed water seems to be dripping from the inner gaitor / bellows on the left/nearside drive shaft - well forward of the engine. I suppose I have a hose problem? I recently had the red led flashing after a spell of heavy traffic but the coolant level was OK. I regularly top it up a little and thought the problem would be solved by replacing the reservoir cap a week ago (the one inside the numberplate flap) because previously there was just a loose-fitting bung in there. Have I created pressure which has leaked out somewhere? Am I safe to make my very important journey if I just keep an eye on the level? Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Miles

[Cruz]

Do you mean the coolant level in the reservior behind the flap or the pressureised header tank under the engine cover?

[faggie]

it would be foolish to make the journey if your losing water , try to find out where its leaking from and rectify it

[Miles]

Thanks for your replies.
Cruz - I mean the level in the top-up tank behind the flap. Maybe I should pay more attention to the expansion tank.
Faggie - I know I should fix it first but I really don't have time. The drip is quite slow. You're not going to tell me it will be fine - are you?
Miles

[Cruz]

Miles check the level of the expansion tank NOW. It's the only one worth a damn when you get a leak or a flashing light. The topup tank behind the flap means precious little if the level in the expansion tank is low.

And as Faggie says get it fixed or give it a good looking at before using it. Otherwise you could be looking at a more pain than spending 2 minutes tightening a loose jubilee clip.

Problem with checking the water level during a journey is you can't as the system is pressurised and hot so you can't take the expansion bottle cap off

[itchyfeet]

there are hoses above the gearbox on the late vans held in place by a metal clip on the gearbox, I suppose the early vans are similar, prime suspect I'd say.